I made it!!! With all of your help, support and prayers, I made it!!

The treatments are done. I have follow-up appointments for many years to come, but the treatments are over. I'll start taking the Anastrozole in a couple of weeks. I see Dr. Dorn in a month and Dr. Kreisle in July. I'll have mammograms at least twice a year at the St. Luke's Breast Imaging Facility for few years. It depends on what they see.

I could not have done it so easily without everyone's support and prayers. Thank you, thank you, thank you . . .

I'm told you don't really feel yourself again (mentally, emotionally, spiritually) until as much time passes from the end of your treatments as from the time you started your journey. Hard to say in words. What that means for me is - All this started in mid-December which is 6 months ago. Physically I will heal in the next 6 weeks or so, but mentally, emotionally & spiritually I may not feel centered until another 6 months go by -- that would be mid-December this year. I am hoping for the fast track. No surprise there.

I am closing this blog. I am a survivor and plan to live a very long healthy and happy life.

Love and blessings to all - Suzan (and of course my Angel Sehara)

Only One More Day

Only one more day and I'm done, done, done, done, done, done !!!

That's an almost big smile because I'm almost done.

Fire Alarm at MSTI Tuesday

When I arrived at MSTI Tuesday for my radiation appointment, many many people were milling around outside. Once I was parked and entered the building they let me know there was a fire alarm and no one could enter the building until the Fire Department arrived and gave the all clear. I almost cried. I thought I would have another day when I could not have radiation and I would have to push my final day into next week. I am so ready for this part to be over.

That did not happen. The all clear was given and I did have my 30th radiation treatment with only 3 more to go.

My MRI results

The nurse called with my MRI results today. I do no have anything that requires surgery which is good news. She said I had new arthritic "something" - I didn't understand it.

So I asked, "Am I going to be like this forever?". I never had trouble with sciatica until the accident. I still have trouble sitting for over an hour, driving in the car, walking up hills or stairs . . .In fact I've never had any issues with my back.

She said the doctor wanted me to come back in so he can explain and also give me prednisone shots. I told her I cannot have prednisone until radiation is over. Luckily it is my last week of radiation. So I asked for an appt next week. She said the doctor is on vacation next week. I made an appt for May 31st. She said I would need to continue physical therapy. I do not have any physical restrictions anymore but need to increase my exercise slowly and stop doing stuff if it hurts.

I'm not looking for a miracle cure but I am getting very angry that I now have physical issues I didn't have before because someone decided to do a U-Turn on the freeway. 

I'm tired, I just need to go to bed, read for a bit and sleep. I need to be at work around 6:45 am tomorrow. It's going to be a long day. Good night all.

My last week of radiation

Omigosh - it's been a long haul, but I am in my final week of radiation. I pray the radiation machine stays in good operating condition this week and there are no glitches with scheduling. I really don't want to extend into next week. I cannot imagine what it would be like if I had to have chemotherapy other than the drug I have to start taking to block the estrogen in my body (Anastrozole). I'm dreading taking it. Dr. Dorn said to wait 2 weeks after the end of radiation to start taking them. He wants my body to heal a little from the radiation. The Anastrozole can cause side effects but it is better for me than the alternative,Tamoxifen. I am hoping I don't get any of the side effects so I don't have to switch to Tamoxifen.

I had an MRI last Wednesday on my back. I should get the results tomorrow. I just hope it is not something bad that requires surgery. I would like to get back to normal for a while. Normal sleep patterns, working out and running so I am physically fit again. I feel like a mushy blimp. I want my energy back and not feel like I am forcing myself to do simple things like laundry.

Everyone's been so great and supportive and I know it will get better, but I'm getting impatient and if I have to have another surgery I feel like it will push me into depression. No need to worry about that until I get the results.

Some fabulous news, my sister ran her first marathon on Saturday and finished in 4 hours 37 minutes. I am so proud of her. She learned alot and I expect will even do better in the next one. I have no desire to run a marathon. What an accomplishment!!!

I am taking Friday off. I'm going to help my mom with a couple of things in Caldwell. Come back to Boise and have my LAST radiation appointment. Then Tom is going to fix a celebration dinner Friday night.

Wednesday I have my last appointment with Dr. Dorn. He will give me the next steps on follow up appointments etc than extend out 10 years. That's ok. I am a Survivor and plan on keeping it that way.

I'm in the single digits for radiation - almost done

I had my 26th treatment today. I finally had to ask for the cream with steroids in it to stop the itching. Dr. Dorn is still very happy how my skin is doing. Next week (the last 5 days of radiation) I will only get treated in the area where the tumor was removed. The other part of my skin will start healing. He said it would take about 2 weeks after that and my skin will look fairly normal. They always ask "Are you still working?". I say yes and they shake their heads but I'm making it through. It's just another added stress with work, my back issues and then radiation. I'm just tired all the time now, kind of like you feel when you've had a bad cold and just don't have your normal energy, motivation or brain functions.

I had an MRI on my back tonight. It's not impossible but is a mental game to have the MRI, hear the noise, be in the close space and lay still. It wasn't bad and it is done. Now I just have to wait for the results. Hopefully they can figure out what is wrong and the solution will NOT be surgery. I'm keeping my hopes up. The physical therapist is not sure what to do next . . . so hopefully the doctor can have a solution when he sees the MRI results.

Kristin did come with me to my radiation appointment. She is always a ray of sunshine. It was nice to have her company. Cindy took me to the hospital for my MRI and Tom picked me up. I'm going to eat, relax, try to get a few loads of laundry done and get to bed early. My day starts at 6:30am tomorrow with meetings and will not end until 5. So much for people understand I need to be on a reduced work week. It was a good idea but hard for people around me to support and truly understand.

It's a beautiful sunny warm day today. I hope this weather continues through the weekend.

Pictures of the Grand Finish from Idaho Statesman

Below are links to pictures taken by the Idaho Statesman as we finish the Race for the Cure.

From Left to Right Janice (my sister), Kristin (my niece, Janice's daughter), me and Mel my running buddy. Behind us you can see two of my outlaws Shanna (Janice's sister-in-law) and Phon (Shanna's daughter).

Picture one
Picture Two
Picture Three

I guess we finished between 30 and 34 minutes. Not bad considering my sports bra came unzipped at some point and my friends made a circle around me so I could zip it back up. No way I could run with the girls flopping around. We also stopped to take a picture with our friend Bob who was one of the policeman helping out with the race.

The Race for the Cure

What a great day at the Race for the Cure. I didn't think I would enjoy it but it was great for my spirit and soul. I had so many wonderful supporters around me. The way it was structured it made the "survivors" feel very special. Wow, what a day. Thank you Janice for talking me into it and thank you to all the people that ran with me.

So here we are -- not a great picture of me but a wonderful group.

Betsy, Rusty, Debbie, Mel, Starr, Me, Kat, Steve, Kristin, Janice, Val, and also Zoey who is so proud to be part of the pack. Thank you Gino for taking the picture.

I am so lucky to have so many wonderful people around me to prop me up.

Radiation machine down again today

The radiation machine is down again today. I was soooooooooo disappointed. This will extend my radiation through May 20th. My plan was to take May 20th off <sigh>. I know it is a silly thing, one more day - but I'm getting tired of it, just like that said I probably would.

I'm looking forward to the race on Saturday. I'm not looking forward to the crowd but I am happy I will at least be jogging. That was important to me as well.

Remember everyone, Mother's Day is on Sunday.

My skin is doing great

Every Wednesday I have my weekly visit with Dr. Dorn. At this point in my radiation treatment they are concerned about my skin and my lungs. I get an x-ray each week to check my lungs to ensure the radiation is not impacting my lungs. Dr. Dorn also checks my lungs as well. So far, all seems great.

He's is thrilled with the condition of my skin. He said I am doing wonderful especially since I am 2/3's through my radiation. He said "It's because of your good nutrition, plenty of protein in your diet and staying hydrated." I asked how that made a difference. I thought I might get terribly burned because I have such fair skin get sunburned very easily. He said the burn from radiation is gradual so if you are healthy and have good nutritional habits your body is healing the damaged skin faster. He said he can tell if people are eating a good diet by how their skin is doing. He also encourages exercise and not losing weight. Trust me, I've gained a few pounds because I have not been as active the last few weeks but it is stable and will come down after radiation treatment is complete.

I am a little more tired than usual, but I only have 11 days of radiation to go and I am getting meals twice a week which is a tremendous help. It gives me a little less to do in the evening so I can get a little more sleep and also have healthy meals that promote healing.